Write once disc allowing management of data area, method of managing the data area, and apparatus and method for reproducing data from write once disc

ABSTRACT

A write once disc allowing management of a data area, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/797,050, filed Mar. 11, 2004, now pending, which claims thepriorities of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-15858 filed on Mar. 13,2003, Korean Patent Application No. 2003-19964 filed on Mar. 31, 2003,and Korean Patent Application No. 2004-7533 filed on Feb. 5, 2004, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/477,955 filed on Jun. 13,2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entiretyby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a write once disc, and moreparticularly, to a write once disc which allows allocation of an areastoring data other than user data, a method of managing a data area ofthe write once disc, an apparatus recording data in the write once disc,and a method and apparatus reproducing data from the write once disc.

2. Description of the Related Art

Defect management is performed to allow a user to rewrite user data of aportion of a user data area in which a defect occurs to a new portion ofthe user data area of a disc, thereby compensating for a loss in datacaused by the defect. In general, defect management is performed usinglinear replacement or slipping replacement methods. In the linearreplacement method, a user data area in which a defect occurs isreplaced with a spare data area having no defects. In the slippingreplacement method, a user data area having a defect is slipped to usethe next user data area having no defects.

Both linear replacement and slipping replacement methods are applicableonly to discs such as a DVD-RAM/RW on which data can be repeatedlyrecorded and recording can be performed using a random access method.

Meanwhile, methods of disc defect management even on a write once discon which rewriting of data is not allowed, using the linear replacementmethod have been developed.

However, there are cases where disc defect management cannot beperformed on a write once disc with a recording/reproducing apparatus,using the linear replacement method. For instance, when data is recordedon the write once disc in real time, it is difficult to perform discdefect management thereon with the recording/reproducing apparatus,using the linear replacement method.

For this reason, a spare area is allocated to a write once disc onlywhen disc defect management using the recording/reproducing apparatus isrequired. That is, the allocation of the spare area is determined by auser's intention.

Also, it is possible to allocate not only spare areas but also otherareas to a data area of the write once disc for disc defect management,if necessary.

However, when other areas, not for user data, are allocated to the dataarea, the recording/reproducing apparatus is not capable of recognizingthe structure of the data area.

In other words, if the write once disc contains no information regardingthe data area structure, the recording/reproducing apparatus is notcapable of determining whether other areas for information other thanuser data are allocated to the data area or not, and determining theposition and size of a user data area when the other areas are formed.

After a write operation, information that specifies areas containingdata is written in a bit map format to a predetermined area of a disc,thereby enabling facilitation of a further write operation or a readoperation.

More specifically, a recordable area of a disc consists of a pluralityof clusters that are data recording units or error correction units. Ifclusters containing data and blank clusters are recorded as informationin the bit map format, the recording/reproducing apparatus can readilyaccess a desired area during a write or read operation.

In particular, bit map information specifying areas containing data isvery useful when using a write once disc. In other words, it is requiredto fast detect a cluster next to a cluster in which data is mostrecently recorded so as to write data to the write once disc. The bitmap information enables fast detection of the next cluster.

Also, it is possible to check a change in the recording state of a writeonce disc and detect the original data recorded before the changeoccurs, using the bit map information. The disc recording state maychange by recording further data to the write once disc containing data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a write once disc on which both user dataand other data can be recorded and managed in a data area.

The present invention also provides a disc whose data recording statecan be easily checked.

The present invention also provides a method of managing a data area ofa write once disc so that both user data and other data can be recordedand managed in the data area.

The present invention also provides a recording apparatus recording andmanaging both user data and other data in a data area of a write oncedisc.

The present invention also provides a method of reproducing data from awrite once disc on which user data and other data are recorded in a dataarea.

The present invention also provides an apparatus reproducing data from awrite once disc on which user data and other data are recorded in a dataarea.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awrite once disc including a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-outzone, the disc including a predetermined area storing area allocationinformation that indicates whether at least one section of the data areais allocated for disc defect management.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda write once disc with at least one record layer, including at least onedata area which stores user data, and at least one predetermined areawhich stores area allocation information, which indicates whether atleast one section of the at least one data area is allocated for discdefect management.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of managing a data area of a write once disc,receiving an instruction regarding whether allocation of at least oneportion of the data area of the disc for disc defect management isrequired and recording area allocation information, which indicateswhether the at least one section of the data area is allocated for discdefect management, in a predetermined area of the disc.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a recording apparatus including a recording/reproducing unitwhich records data on or reads data from a write once disc; and acontroller which controls the recording/reproducing unit to record areaallocation information, which indicates whether at least one section ofa data area of the disc is allocated for disc defect management, in apredetermined area of the disc, in response to an instruction regardingwhether allocation of the at least one section to the data area isrequired.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of reproducing data from a write once disc, includingaccessing a predetermined area of the disc to read area allocationinformation, and obtaining information regarding location of at leastone section of a data area of the disc, which is allocated for discdefect management, from the area allocation information.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an apparatus reproducing data from a write once disc, includinga reading unit which reads the data from the disc, and a controllerwhich controls the reading unit to access a predetermined area of thedisc so as to read area allocation information and obtain informationregarding a location of the at least one section of a data area of thedisc, which is allocated for disc defect management, from the areaallocation information.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forthin part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate structures of a write once disc according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed structure of the Temporary Disc DefectStructure (TDDS) area shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed structure of the Space Bit Map (SBM) areaof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed structure of the TDDS+SBM area shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed structure of the Temporary Disc ManagementArea (TDMA) shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed structure of the disc & driveinformation+SBM area shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed structure of the TDMA #1 shown in FIG.10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a detailed structure of a cluster, shown in FIG. 11,in which both an TDDS and an SBM are recorded;

FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed structure of a cluster containing discinitialization information obtained during disc initialization;

FIG. 14 illustrates a detailed structure of a cluster containing discre-initialization information;

FIG. 15 illustrates a structure of an SBM area according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a finalized SBM area according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a data area ofa write once disc, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the presentinvention by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates a structure of a write once disc (hereinafterreferred to as the ‘disc’) according to an embodiment of the presentinvention that is a single record layer disc having a record layer L0.The disc includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. Thelead-in zone is located in an inner part of the disc and the lead-outzone is located in an outer part of the disc. The data area is presentbetween the lead-in zone and the lead-out zone and is divided into auser data area and a spare area. The spare area has a predetermined sizestarting from the beginning of the data area.

FIG. 1B illustrates a disc that is a double record layer disc having tworecord layers L0 and L1. A lead-in zone, a data area, and an outer areaare sequentially formed from an inner part of the first record layer L0to its outer part. Also, an outer area, a data area, and a lead-out zoneare sequentially formed from an outer part of the second record layer L1to its inner part. Unlike the single record layer disc of FIG. 1A, thelead-out zone of the second record layer L1 is present in the inner partof the second record layer L1. That is, the disc has an opposite trackpath (OTP) in which data is recorded starting from the lead-in zone atthe inner part of the first record layer L0 toward the outer part andcontinuing from the outer area of the second record layer L1 to thelead-out zone at the inner part. Spare areas are allocated to the firstand second record layers L0 and L1, respectively.

In this embodiment, the spare areas are present between the lead-in zoneand the user data area and between the outer area and the user dataarea. However, the positions and numbers of spare areas are not limited.

Initialization of a disc according to the present invention will now bedescribed. Disc initialization is a preliminary record operation that isperformed prior to use of a disc. More specifically, informationregarding the structure of a data area is written to a predeterminedarea of the disc, thereby enabling a recording/reproducing apparatus torecognize the data area structure. The information specifies whetherareas, e.g., a spare area, in which data, regarding disc defectmanagement using a recording/reproducing apparatus, other than user datais recorded are allocated to a data area, and specifies the positions ofthe areas allocated to the data area. If disc initializationinformation, i.e., the information regarding the data area structure, isrecorded after the disc initialization, the recording/reproducingapparatus is capable of checking the presence and positions of the areasin which information other than the user data is recorded and detectingan area in which the user data is to be recorded.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a disc in which a spare area for disc defectmanagement is formed in a data area, according to the present invention,will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 9.

FIG. 2 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, a lead-in zone of the disc includesDefect Management Areas (DMA) DMA1 and DMA2, a recording condition testarea, a Temporary Disc Defect Structure (TDDS) area, a Temporary DeFectList (TDFL) area, a space bit map area, and a disc & drive informationarea.

In general, when a disc is loaded into a recording/reproducingapparatus, the recording/reproducing apparatus reads information from alead-in zone and/or a lead-out zone to determine how to manage the discand perform a read/write operation. Therefore, if the amount of theinformation recorded in the lead-in zone and/or the lead-out zoneincreases, a longer time will be spent preparing the recording orreproducing of the data after loading the disc. To solve this and/orother problems, the present invention proposes temporary managementinformation containing a TDDS and a TDFL, the temporary managementinformation being recorded in a TDFL or a TDDS formed, separated fromthe lead-in zone and/or the lead-out zone.

If no more data will be recorded on the disc, the recording/reproducingapparatus begins disc finalization during which the recorded TDFL andTDDS are recorded as defect management information in the DMA. Throughthe disc finalization, only the most recently recorded TDFL and TDDS arecopied to the DMA. Accordingly, the recording/reproducing apparatus cancomplete disc initialization rapidly by reading only the most recentlyupdated information from the DMA. In this case, the defect managementinformation is stored in a plurality of areas, thereby increasing thereliability of information.

Disc defect management according to this embodiment uses the linearreplacement method, and thus, the TDFL specifies an area, i.e., adefective area, of the disc in which a defect occurs, and a replacementarea that substitutes for the defective area. The TDFL further specifieswhether the defective area is a single defective cluster, or acontinuous defective cluster in which a series of defects occurphysically. The TDDS, which is information managing the TDFL, specifiesthe recording position of the TDFL.

The lead-in zone includes the space bit map (SBM) area that contains bitmap information regarding an area containing data, i.e., informationregarding a data recordable area.

The data area includes spare areas #1 and #2 and a user data area.

In this embodiment, the spare areas #1 and #2 are formed at the startand end of the data area, respectively, for a case where disc defectmanagement is performed using a recording/reproducing apparatus duringdisc initialization.

The lead-out zone includes DMAs #3 and #4 and other areas.

When a user decides to perform disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus and instructs the recording/reproducingapparatus to allocate spare areas in a data area, therecording/reproducing apparatus allocates the spare areas #1 and #2 topredetermined portions of the data area, e.g., at the start and end ofthe data area. Then, the recording/reproducing apparatus records areaallocation information, which indicates the allocation of the spareareas #1 and #2, in a first cluster of a TDDS area. The area allocationinformation may specify the sizes of the allocated spare areas #1 and#2. If starting and ending addresses of the spare areas #1 and #2 aredetermined, for example, when the spare areas #1 and #2 are positionedat the start and end of the data area, respectively, therecording/reproducing apparatus can recognize the allocation of thespare areas #1 and #2 and the position and size of each spare area basedon information regarding the spare area sizes.

When the starting and ending addresses of the spare areas #1 and #2 arenot predetermined, the starting and ending addresses are determined andrecorded or the information regarding sizes of the spare areas #1 and #2is recorded in the first cluster of the TDDS area.

In this embodiment, the area allocation information is recorded in theTDDS area but can be recorded in another area.

After recording the area allocation information in the first cluster ofthe TDDS, a bit map is recorded in a first cluster of the SBM area, thebit map recording bit corresponding to the positions of the firstclusters of the TDDS and the SBM area with 1 and recording bitscorresponding to the positions of the other clusters as 0.

If the user does not desire to perform disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus, the recording/reproducing apparatusrecords the area allocation information, which describes the sizes ofthe spare areas #1 and #2 as 0, in the first cluster of the TDDS.

After recording the area allocation information in the TDDS, a bit map,which indicates the bits corresponding to the positions of the firstclusters of the TDDS and the SBM area as 1 and indicates the bitcorresponding to the positions of the other clusters as 0, is recordedin the first cluster of the SBM area.

As previously mentioned, it is possible to change the structure of thedata area by re-initializing the disc and updating the area allocationinformation, even if the area allocation information was recorded in theTDDS and data was recorded on the disc during the previous discinitialization. Disc re-initialization will be later described withreference to FIG. 14.

When the user does not require disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus, no information will be recorded in theDMA. In this case, the area allocation information recorded in the TDDSarea is recorded in the DMA even if disc finalization is not beingperformed.

Meanwhile, a re-writable disc does not include the TDDS, and thus,reproducing information from a disc with a TDDS area containing areaallocation information, using a reproducing apparatus for re-writablediscs is not possible because of incompatible data structures. To solvethis and/or other problems, information recorded in the TDDS area iscopied to a DMA when performing disc finalization on the disc.

In other words, if disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus will not be performed, the areaallocation information recorded in the TDDS area is recorded in the DMAprior to disc finalization, thereby enabling reproduction of informationfrom a disc using a re-writable disc reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structure of the TDDS area shown in FIG. 2,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A TDDS is recorded in a cluster of a TDDS area at least once until arecording operation ends. In general, a plurality of TDDS #0, TDDS #1, .. . are recorded in the TDDS area. In this embodiment, TDDS #0 isrecorded in a cluster of a TDDS area once when a recording operationends.

Referring to FIG. 3, the TDDS area consists of a plurality of clusters.A cluster is a basic unit of record and consists of a predeterminednumber of sectors. A sector is a physical basic unit of a disc.

During disc initialization, when a user determines whether a spare areawill be allocated or not, area allocation information indicating theuser's determination is recorded in the TDDS #0. The TDDS #0 includes aTDDS identifier, counter information indicating the number of updates tothe TDDS #0, position information regarding drive information, positioninformation regarding a corresponding TDFL, if any, informationregarding the size of a spare area #1, and information regarding thesize of a spare area #2. As previously described, when the user does notrequire disc defect management using the recording/reproducing apparatusand allocates spare areas in a data area, the sizes of spare areas #1and #2 are recorded as ‘0’.

Although a detailed structure of a TDFL area is not illustrated, a TDFL#i contains information regarding defects occurring in data recordedduring a recording operation #i and information regarding replacementsfor the defects. Also, previous TDFLs #0, #1, #2, . . . , #i−1 are notaccumulated in the TDFL #i and only information regarding defectsoccurring in a recording area made during the corresponding recordingoperation #i is recorded in the TDFL #i, thereby minimizing a recordingcapacity and enabling efficient use of a recording space of a TDDS.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the SBM area shown in FIG. 2,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The SBM areacomprises a plurality of clusters and each SBM #i is recorded in acluster.

Each SBM #i includes an SBM header area and a bit map area. In the SBMheader area, SBM identifier information, counter information indicatingthe number of updates to the SBM #i, and a finalization flag arerecorded. The finalization flag will be later described.

The bit map area contains a bit map that indicates clusters containingdata and blank clusters with different bit values in cluster units withrespect to entire recordable areas of a disc.

After recording a TDDS #0, an SBM #0 is recorded in a first cluster ofthe SBM area. In the bit map of the SBM #0, a bit corresponding to theposition of a first cluster of a TDDS and a bit corresponding to theposition of the first cluster are expressed with 1, and bitscorresponding to the remaining clusters are expressed with 0.

Accordingly, recording size information regarding spare areas in theTDDS #0 allows the recording/reproducing apparatus to check the presenceof spare areas and determine the positions or sizes of allocated spareareas. Also, the recording/reproducing apparatus is capable of rapidlyrecognizing an area containing data and a blank area of the disc byrecording the SBM #0 after recording the TDDS #0.

In the disc, shown in FIG. 2, a TDDS area, a TDFL area, and an SBM areaare individually formed and a TDDS, a TDFL, and an SBM are recordedtherein in cluster units, respectively. However, recording of the TDDSand the SBM is not limited to these areas, that is, they may be recordedin different areas.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a lead-in zone includes an area in whichboth a TDDS and an SBM are recorded.

When a user desires to perform disc defect management using arecording/reproducing apparatus and instructs the recording/reproducingapparatus to allocate spare areas, the recording/reproducing apparatusallocates spare areas #1 and #2 at the start and end of a data area inpredetermined sizes, respectively.

Then, the recording/reproducing apparatus records allocationinformation, which indicates the allocation of the spare areas #1 and#2, in first clusters of the TDDS and the SBM.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed structure of the TDDS+SBM area shown inFIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6, a TDDS and an SBM are recorded in acluster. The TDDS contains size information, i.e., area allocationinformation, regarding each spare area and the SBM, and the SBM containsa bit map.

After recording the area allocation information in a first cluster ofthe TDDS+SBM area, the bit map records a bit for the position of thefirst cluster of the TDDS+SBM area as 1 and bits for the positions ofthe other clusters as 0.

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc managementof a data area, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a lead-in zone includes a Temporary Disc ManagementArea (TDMA) area in which both a TDFL and a TDDS are recorded, and adisc & drive information+SBM area in which both disc and driveinformation and an SBM are recorded. That is, the TDFL and TDDS arerecorded in a cluster and the disc & drive information and SBM arerecorded in a cluster.

Similarly to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a user determinesdisc defect management using a recording/reproducing apparatus andinstructs the recording/reproducing apparatus to allocate spare areas toa data area of a disc. Then, the recording/reproducing apparatusallocates spare areas #1 and #2 to the start and end of the data area inpredetermined sizes.

Next, the recording/reproducing apparatus records area allocationinformation that indicates the allocation of the spare areas #1 and #2in a first cluster of the TDMA.

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed structure of the TDMA shown in FIG. 7. TheTDMA consists of clusters in which disc defect management information isrecorded. In each cluster, a TDDS and a TDFL are recorded. The TDDScontains information regarding positions of the spare areas, theinformation being area allocation information.

FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed structure of the disc & driveinformation+SBM area shown in FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Each cluster contains disc & drive information and SBM information. TheSBM information contains a bit map.

Information regarding spare areas is recorded in a first cluster of aTDMA. Next, a bit map indicates bits for first clusters of the TDMA andthe disc & drive information and SBM area with 1 and bits for theremaining clusters with 0.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a single record layer disc allowingmanagement of a data area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Unlike the disc according to the embodiments described above,the disc of FIG. 10 further includes a TDMA #2 in a data area, inaddition to a TDMA #1 in a lead-in zone.

The TDMAs #1 and #2 are different from each other in that updatedinformation is recorded in the TDMA #1 either before ejecting of a discfrom a recording/reproducing apparatus or during disc initialization,and updated information is recorded in the TDMA #2 in operation unitsduring the recording of data on the disc. Here, the operation units areunits in which a verify-after-write method is facilitated. In theverify-after-write method, data is recorded in cluster units and thenverified.

If a TDMA is allocated only to a lead-in zone, the size of the TDMA islimited, thus making it difficult to frequently update information. Thenumber of necessary information updates may be reduced by updating aTDDS when ejecting the disc from the recording/reproducing apparatus.However, in this case, the updating of the TDDS will be incompletelyterminated when power to the recording/reproducing apparatus isinterrupted due to an unexpected accident, such as a power failure,during a write operation.

To solve this and/or other problems, the disc of FIG. 10 furtherincludes the TDMA #2 in the data area. The TDDS is updated and recordedin the TDMA #2 in units in which the verify-after-write method isfacilitated, thereby preparing for a failure in updating the TDDS due toan interruption of the power supply. Just prior to ejecting the disc,final defect information and state information regarding the disc arerepeatedly recorded in both the TDMAs #1 and #2, thereby increasing therobustness of information.

The reason for forming the TDMA #2 in the data area is that frequentupdating of information in the TDMA #2 requires the TDMA #2 to bespacious. On the other hand, the TDMA #1 is not required to be spaciousand thus is formed in the lead-in zone (or a lead-out zone).

If a user does not desire disc defect management using arecording/reproducing apparatus or does not require allocation of theTDMA #2 although the user wants disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus during disc initialization, the TDMA #2will not be allocated to the data area and area allocation informationindicating this information is recorded in the TDMA #1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed structure of the TDMA #1 shown in FIG.10. Referring to FIG. 11, a TDFL, a TDDS, and an SBM are recorded in theTDMA #1. More specifically, both the TDDS and the SBM are recorded in acluster TDDS+SBM #k and the TDFL is recorded in another cluster (k is aninteger greater than 0). The TDMA #2 has the same construction as theTDMA #1 and its detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a detailed structure of the cluster TDDS+SBM #k,shown in FIG. 11, in which both a TDDS and an SBM are recorded.Referring to FIG. 12, the TDDS specifies the positions of a recordingcondition test area, drive information, a TDFL, spare areas #1 and #2, aTDMA #2, a TDDS+SBM area for another record layer, and a TDDS+SBM areafor another TDMA.

If the starting and ending addresses of each area of the disc aredetermined, information regarding the sizes of spare areas #1 and #2 andTDMA#2 as their position information is sufficient. Otherwise, theposition information is indicated with their starting and endingaddresses corresponding to each area of the disc.

If the disc has at least two record layers, an SBM for each record layeris required.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed structure of a cluster TDDS+SBM #0containing disc initialization information obtained during discinitialization. FIG. 13 illustrates a case where spare areas #1 and #2and a TDMA#2 are formed in a data area. Referring to FIG. 13,information regarding sizes of spare areas #1 and #2 and the TDMA#2 isrecorded as disc initialization information. In this case, it isunderstood that starting and ending addresses of each area have alreadybeen determined.

Even if spare areas are allocated to the data area and the disc isinitialized by recording area allocation information that indicates theallocation, the structure of the data area may be changed byre-initializing the disc and updating the area allocation information.

FIG. 14 illustrates a detailed structure of a cluster TDDS+SBM #n+1containing disc re-initialization information. Referring to FIG. 14,information that specifies a change in the sizes of spare areas #1 and#2 and a TDMA #2 is recorded in a TDDS area.

Let us assume that the spare area #1, the TDMA #2, a user data area, andthe spare area #2 are sequentially formed in a data area, and defectinformation is recorded in the spare area #2 starting from a clusterwith the largest address to a cluster with the smallest address. In thiscase, disc re-initialization is performed to effectively use a recordingarea between a cluster with the largest address of the user data areaand the cluster with the smallest address of the spare area #2.

In other words, the disc re-initialization increases or decreases thesize of the spare area #2, thus enabling effective use of the recordingarea.

Disc re-initialization information is recorded in at least one clusterTDDS+SBM belonging to a TDMA #1 or the TDMA #2.

Hereinafter, an SBM that is information regarding a data recording areawill be described in greater detail.

FIG. 15 illustrates a structure of an SBM area according to anembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 15, SBMs #0through #n, which provide data recording area information, are recordedin the SBM area. In this embodiment, an SBM #i is recorded in a cluster(i is an integer from 0 to n). However, as illustrated in FIGS. 6through 9, SBM #i may be recorded together with other information in acluster.

Each SBM #i provides header information containing an SBM descriptor, afinalization flag, and an update counter; and a bit map #i (i is aninteger from 0 to n) that indicates recordable areas of entire recordingareas of the disc in cluster units.

If data is further recorded on the disc and data recording areainformation changes, each SBM #i, which contains a new bit mapdescribing data recording areas, is generated and recorded. In thiscase, the update counter represents the number of times the datarecording area information is updated.

An instant of time when each SBM #i is generated and updated may bedifferently determined depending on a program installed in arecording/reproducing apparatus. However, after recording data on thedisc, a new SBM #i must be generated and recorded before ejecting thedisc from the recording/reproducing apparatus.

The finalization flag indicates whether the disc is finalized or not.

FIG. 16 illustrates a finalized SBM area according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The finalization flag for a header of an SBM isset to 0 and recorded together with other information. Referring to FIG.16, an SBM recorded right before disc finalization is an SBM #n. If afinalization command is given from a host such as a computer to arecording/reproducing apparatus, the recording/reproducing apparatusindicates completion of disc finalization by changing a finalizationflag among information regarding the SBM #n, which is last updated, from0 to 1, and recording the SBM #n again.

If necessary, the recording/reproducing apparatus may allow no more SBMsto be recorded by recording data such as “ffh” in an area next to anarea containing the SBM #n having the finalization flag ‘1’, therebypreventing additional recording of data on the disc.

A user can maintain the recording state of the disc at an instant oftime when disc finalization is performed, based on an SBM having thefinalization flag ‘1’. Even if data recorded on the finalized disc ischanged or new data is added to the original data without permission,detecting the original data recorded during the disc finalization byreferring to a bit map contained in the SBM having the finalization flag‘1’ is possible. Therefore, data that is added after the discfinalization can be easily detected.

An area in which each SBM #i is recorded is positioned in at least oneof a data area, a lead-in zone, and a lead-out zone as shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B.

Spare areas and TDMAs are allocated to a data area in the aboveembodiments, but an area to which the spare areas and the TDMAs areallocated and areas allocated to the data area are not limited. Forexample, a TDMA area and a TDDS area may be further allocated to thedata area. Also, a TDDS area and an SBM area are allocated to a lead-inzone in the above embodiments but may be formed in a data area or alead-out zone.

Although not shown in the drawings, a TDFL area may be formed in thedata area. In this case, if a user desires disc defect management usinga recording/reproducing apparatus, the user allocates a spare area #1, aspare area #2, and the TDFL area and records a TDDS and an SBM asdescribed above. The TDFL may be positioned between the lead-in zone andthe spare area #1, between the spare area #1 and a user data area, atthe middle of the user data area, between the user data area and thespare area #2, and between the spare area #2 and a lead-out area,

If the user does not desire disc defect management using therecording/reproducing apparatus, the allocation of spare areas is notrequired. However, if the user records data in real time using discdefect information obtained by scanning a disc, the TDFL area isrequired to store the disc defect information. Therefore, the TDFL isallocated during disc initialization.

In the above embodiments according to the present invention, managementof spare areas and recording of a bit map are described with respect toa single record layer disc. However, the present invention can beapplied to a dual record layer disc.

A write once disc according to the present invention includes a TDMA fordisc defect management. However, if the disc is a re-writable disc, thedisc includes a DMA but does not include a TDMA. Therefore, are-writable disc recording/reproducing apparatus is not capable ofreproducing/recording data from/on a disc with a TDMA, that is, a disccompatibility issue is caused. For a solution to the disc compatibility,a TDFL recorded in a TDDS area is copied to a TDMA prior to finalizationof the disc.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.17, the recording/reproducing apparatus includes a recording/reproducingunit 1, a controller 2, and a memory 3.

Under control of the controller 2, the recording/reproducing unit 1records data on a disc 100 according to the present invention and readsthe data from the disc 100 to verify the accuracy of the recorded data.

The controller 2 manages a data area of the disc 100. Also, thecontroller 2 performs a verify-after-write method in which data isrecorded on the disc 100 in predetermined units and the accuracy of therecorded data is verified to detect if an area of the disc 100 has adefect. More specifically, the controller 2 records user data on thedisc 100 in predetermined units and verifies the recorded user data todetect an area of the disc 100 in which a defect exists. Next, thecontroller 2 creates a Temporary DeFect List (TDFL) and a Temporary DiscDefect Structure (TDDS) that specify a position of the area with thedefect. Next, the controller 2 temporarily stores the created TDFL andTDDS in the memory 3. When the amount of the stored TDFL and TDDSreaches a predetermined level, the controller 2 records the TDFL andTDDS in a predetermined area, e.g., a Temporary Disc Management Area(TDMA), of the disc 100.

Here, the disc 100 includes discs according to the aforementionedembodiments of the present invention.

When a user decides to perform disc defect management using therecording apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 17 and instructs therecording apparatus to allocate spare areas in a data area, therecording apparatus allocates the spare areas, e.g., a spare area #1 anda spare area #2, to predetermined portions of the data area of the disc,e.g., at the start and end of the data area.

Then, the recording/reproducing apparatus records area allocationinformation, which indicates the allocation of the spare areas #1 and#2, in a first cluster of a TDDS. The area allocation information mayspecify sizes of the allocated spare areas #1 and #2. If starting andending addresses of the spare areas #1 and #2 are determined, forexample, when the spare areas #1 and #2 are positioned at the start andend of the data area, respectively, the recording apparatus canrecognize the allocation of the spare areas #1 and #2 and also thepositions and sizes of the spare areas #1 and #2 based only oninformation regarding the spare area sizes.

For this reason, when the starting and ending addresses of the spareareas #1 and #2 are not determined, these addresses are determined andrecorded or the information regarding sizes of the spare areas #1 and #2is recorded in the first cluster of the TDDS.

A method of managing a data area of a disc using a recording apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a data area ofthe disc 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.Initialization of the disc 100 is performed in response to user inputbefore recording user data on the disc 100 (operation 110). Next, aninstruction regarding whether allocation of at least one section of adata area of the disc 100 for disc defect management is required or notis transmitted to the controller 2 from a host apparatus such as acomputer (operation 120). As previously mentioned, allocation of asection, such as a spare area or a TDMA, of the data area for discdefect management is regarded as well known to those skilled in the art.Alternatively, a recording/reproducing apparatus other than the hostapparatus is capable of determining whether the at least one section ofthe data area will be allocated.

Next, the controller 2 controls the recording/reproducing unit 1 torecord area allocation information, which describes whether the at leastone section of the data area has been allocated or not, in apredetermined area of the disc 100 (operation 130). The area allocationinformation may specify a size of the at least one portion for discdefect management. Assuming that, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least onesection for disc defect management includes a spare area #1 and a sparearea #2 and a starting position of the spare area #1 and an endingposition of the spare area #2 have been located at a start and end ofthe data area, respectively. In this case, a recording apparatus iscapable of recognizing not only allocation of the spare areas #1 and #2,but also their location and sizes based only on information regardingthe sizes of the spare areas #1 and #2.

When a user does not require disc defect management when using therecording apparatus and does not allocate the at least one section, suchas a spare area, of the data area, the area allocation informationindicating the size of the at least one section as 0 is recorded in apredetermined area of the disc 100.

The area allocation information may be recorded in a TDDS formed in atleast one of a lead-in zone, a data zone, and a lead-out zone of thedisc 100. Also, a TDDS may be recorded in various areas as shown inFIGS. 3, 6, 8, and 12.

After the initialization of the disc 100 is completed by recording thearea allocation information on the disc 100 in operation 130, therecording apparatus may record the user data on the disc 100 and performdisc defect management.

After operation 130, the recording apparatus records the user data in auser data area of the disc 100 and performs disc defect management usingthe spare areas and the TDMA (operation 140).

Even after disc initialization, re-initialization of the disc 100 allowschanging of a structure of the data area of the disc 100.

Next, the disc 100 is re-initialized in response to user input(operation 150). Then, a command that instructs the structure of thedata area to be redefined by allocation of new areas thereto is inputfrom the host apparatus to the controller 2.

Then, the controller 2 controls the recording/reproducing unit 1 torecord area allocation information regarding the new areas in apredetermined area of the disc 100, thereby updating the area allocationinformation (operation 160).

Information, e.g., an SBM, regarding areas containing data is recordedon the disc 100. Header information of the SBM includes a finalizationflag that represents whether more data can be recorded on a disc. Whenthe finalization flag is 1, a change in a disc recording state may bechecked and the original data before the change may be detected, using abit map corresponding to the finalization flag 1.

If the user does not desire to perform disc defect management using therecording apparatus, no data is recorded in a DMA. Thus, the areaallocation information recorded in the TDMA is recorded in the DMAregardless of whether disc finalization is completed or not.

Because a re-writable disc does not include a TDDS area, reproducingdata from a write one disc with a TDMA containing area allocationinformation, using a re-writable disc reproducing apparatus is notpossible due to compatibility problems. To solve this and/or otherproblems, information recorded in the TDMA is recorded in the DMA duringdisc finalization, thereby enabling disc compatibility.

If disc defect management using the recording apparatus is not required,the area allocation information recorded in the TDMA is recorded in theDMA before disc finalization, thereby enabling reproduction of data fromthe disc using the re-writable disc reproducing apparatus.

For example, although not shown in the drawings, a reproducing apparatusreproducing data from the disc 100 containing the area allocationinformation, according to the present invention, having a similarstructure to that of the recording apparatus of FIG. 17 except that thereproducing apparatus includes only a reproducing unit, for only datareading, instead of the recording/reproducing unit 1 of therecording/reproducing apparatus. When the disc 100 is loaded into thereproducing apparatus according to the present invention, thereproducing apparatus accesses a predetermined area, e.g., a TDMA, whichcontains the last updated area allocation information so as to read thelast updated area allocation information. Then, the reproducingapparatus obtains, from the last updated area allocation information,information regarding the location of at least one section of the dataarea for disc defect management. As described above, the at least onesection includes the TDMA and the spare areas. Because the reproducingapparatus is capable of completely recognizing a structure of the dataarea based on the area allocation area, the reproducing apparatus canread not only the user data but also data, for disc defect management,which is stored in the TDMA and the spare areas allocated to the dataarea.

As described above, according to the present invention, area allocationinformation regarding a structure of a data area is recorded on a writeonce disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognizethe data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a sparearea, for disc defect management other than an area for storing userdata, to the data area, enables efficient use of the disc.

Also, after disc initialization, the structure of the data area may bechanged by updating the area allocation information through discre-initialization.

Further, a bit map, which specifies data recordable areas, is recordedin a predetermined area of the disc, thereby enabling therecording/reproducing apparatus to quickly access a desired area. Thebit map also allows the recording/reproducing apparatus to check whetherthere is a change in a disc recording state and detect data originallyrecorded before the change, the change being occurred by recordingadditional data on the disc.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in this embodiment without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe claims and their equivalents.

1. A write once disc including a lead-in zone, a data area, and alead-out zone, the disc comprising: a predetermined area storing areaallocation information that indicates to a recording and/or reproducingapparatus whether at least one section of the data area is allocated fordisc defect management by the apparatus, wherein the predetermined areais formed in a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporarydefect management area (TDMA), and the area allocation informationrecorded in the temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in adefect management area (DMA), and the section allocated to the data areafor disc defect management includes a spare area, a temporary discdefect structure (TDDS) area, a temporary defect list (TDFL) area, orthe temporary defect management area (TDMA).
 2. A write once discincluding a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone, the disccomprising: a predetermined area storing area allocation informationthat indicates to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus whether atleast one section of the data area is allocated for disc defectmanagement by the apparatus, wherein the predetermined area is formed ina temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), and the area allocation information recorded inthe temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in a defectmanagement area (DMA), further comprising: a space bit map (SBM)information area in which data recording area information is recorded,and the data recording area information contains header information anda bitmap that indicates areas containing data.
 3. The disc of claim 2,wherein, when the area allocation information is recorded in apredetermined cluster of the predetermined area, a bit of the bitmapcorresponding to the predetermined cluster is recorded as apredetermined value that indicates the predetermined cluster containsdata.
 4. The disc of claim 2, wherein the header information comprises afinalization flag that indicates whether more data is recordable on thedisc.
 5. The disc of claim 1, wherein the predetermined area in whichthe area allocation information is recorded is the TDDS area.
 6. Thedisc of claim 5, further comprising the defect management area (DMA) inwhich the area allocation information recorded in the TDDS area iscopied when the data area does not include an area for disc defectmanagement.
 7. A write once disc including a lead-in zone, a data area,and a lead-out zone, the disc comprising: a predetermined area storingarea allocation information that indicates to a recording and/orreproducing apparatus whether at least one section of the data area isallocated for disc defect management by the apparatus, wherein thepredetermined area is formed in a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS)of a temporary defect management area (TDMA), and the area allocationinformation recorded in the temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) isrecorded in a defect management area (DMA), further comprising: a firsttemporary defect management area (TDMA) formed in the lead-in zone; anda second TDMA formed in the data area, and the area allocationinformation indicates allocation of the second TDMA to the data area,and the predetermined area in which the area allocation information isrecorded is one of the first and second TDMAs.
 8. The disc of claim 7,wherein the first TDMA is an area in which an updated temporary discdefect structure (TDDS) is recorded at least once before ejecting thedisc from a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and the second TDMAis an area in which the updated TDDS is recorded in units ofpredetermined operations during which data is recorded.
 9. A write oncedisc including a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone, thedisc comprising: a predetermined area storing area allocationinformation that indicates to a recording and/or reproducing apparatuswhether at least one section of the data area is allocated for discdefect management by the apparatus, wherein the predetermined area isformed in a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), and the area allocation information recorded inthe temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in a defectmanagement area (DMA), and the area allocation information is recordedin at least one cluster of the predetermined area and updated areaallocation information is recorded in at least one different cluster ofthe predetermined area.
 10. A method of managing a data area of a writeonce disc, comprising: receiving an instruction regarding whetherallocation of at least one section of the data area of the disc for discdefect management is required; and recording area allocationinformation, which indicates whether the at least one section of thedata area is allocated for disc defect management, in a predeterminedarea of the disc, wherein the predetermined area is formed in atemporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defect managementarea (TDMA), and the recording of the area allocation informationcomprises recording the area allocation information in a temporary discdefect structure (TDDS) area formed in at least one of a lead-in zone,the data area, and a lead-out zone of the disc.
 11. A method of managinga data area of a write once disc, comprising: receiving an instructionregarding whether allocation of at least one section of the data area ofthe disc for disc defect management is required; and recording areaallocation information, which indicates whether the at least one sectionof the data area is allocated for disc defect management, in apredetermined area of the disc, wherein the predetermined area is formedin a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), further comprising: recording informationregarding a data recordable area, and the information regarding a datarecordable area comprises header information and a bit map thatindicates areas containing data.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein therecording of the information regarding the data recordable areacomprises recording a bit value of the bit map corresponding to apredetermined area that contains data indicating whether the at leastone section of the data area is allocated, as a predetermined valueindicating an area containing data.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereinthe header information comprises a finalization flag that indicateswhether more data is recordable on the write once disc.
 14. A method ofmanaging a data area of a write once disc, comprising: receiving aninstruction regarding whether allocation of at least one section of thedata area of the disc for disc defect management is required; andrecording area allocation information, which indicates whether the atleast one section of the data area is allocated for disc defectmanagement, in a predetermined area of the disc, wherein thepredetermined area is formed in a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS)of a temporary defect management area (TDMA), wherein the recording ofthe area allocation information comprises recording informationspecifying a size of the at least one section of the data area, and therecording of the area allocation information comprises recording thearea allocation information to indicate the size of the at least onesection as 0 when the at least one section of the data area is notallocated.
 15. A method of managing a data area of a write once disc,comprising: receiving an instruction regarding whether allocation of atleast one section of the data area of the disc for disc defectmanagement is required; and recording area allocation information, whichindicates whether the at least one section of the data area is allocatedfor disc defect management, in a predetermined area of the disc, whereinthe predetermined area is formed in a temporary disc defect structure(TDDS) of a temporary defect management area (TDMA), further comprising:recording the area allocation information, which is recorded in atemporary defect management area (TDMA), in a defect management area(DMA).
 16. A method of managing a data area of a write once disc,comprising: receiving an instruction regarding whether allocation of atleast one section of the data area of the disc for disc defectmanagement is required; and recording area allocation information, whichindicates whether the at least one section of the data area is allocatedfor disc defect management, in a predetermined area of the disc, whereinthe predetermined area is formed in a temporary disc defect structure(TDDS) of a temporary defect management area (TDMA), and the at leastone section of the data area comprises a spare area, a temporary discdefect structure (TDDS) area, a temporary defect list (TDFL) area, andthe temporary defect management area (TDMA).
 17. A method of managing adata area of a write once disc, comprising: receiving an instructionregarding whether allocation of at least one section of the data area ofthe disc for disc defect management is required; and recording areaallocation information, which indicates whether the at least one sectionof the data area is allocated for disc defect management, in apredetermined area of the disc, wherein the predetermined area is formedin a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), and the recording the area allocationinformation comprises recording the area allocation information, whichindicates allocation of a second temporary defect management area (TDMA)to the data area, in one of a first TDMA and the second TDMA which areformed in a lead-in zone of the disc.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the first TDMA is an area in which an updated temporary discdefect structure (TDDS) is recorded before ejecting the write once discfrom a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and the second TDMA is anarea in which the updated TDDS is recorded in units of predeterminedoperations during which data is recorded.
 19. A method of managing adata area of a write once disc, comprising: receiving an instructionregarding whether allocation of at least one section of the data area ofthe disc for disc defect management is required; and recording areaallocation information, which indicates whether the at least one sectionof the data area is allocated for disc defect management, in apredetermined area of the disc, wherein the predetermined area is formedin a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), further comprising: updating the area allocationinformation by recording area allocation information, which specifies achange in a size of the at least one section, in a predetermined area inresponse to a command that instructs the size of the at least onesection to be changed.
 20. The method of claim 10, wherein during therecording the area allocation information, the area allocationinformation is recorded in at least one cluster starting from a start ofthe TDDS.
 21. A method of reproducing data from a write once disc,comprising: accessing a predetermined area of the disc to read areaallocation information that indicates whether at least one section of adata area is allocated for disc defect management; and obtaining thearea allocation information, wherein the predetermined area is formed ina temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defectmanagement area (TDMA), and the area allocation information recorded inthe temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in a defectmanagement area (DMA), wherein the predetermined area storing the areaallocation information is a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) areaformed in a lead-in zone, the data area, or a lead-out zone of the disc.22. A method of reproducing data from a write once disc, comprising:accessing a predetermined area of the disc to read area allocationinformation that indicates whether at least one section of a data areais allocated for disc defect management; and obtaining the areaallocation information, wherein the predetermined area is formed in atemporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defect managementarea (TDMA), and the area allocation information recorded in thetemporary disc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in a defectmanagement area (DMA), and the at least one section comprises a sparearea, a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) area, a temporary defectlist (TDFL) area, or the temporary defect management area (TDMA).
 23. Amethod of reproducing data from a write once disc, comprising: accessinga predetermined area of the disc to read area allocation informationthat indicates whether at least one section of a data area is allocatedfor disc defect management; and obtaining the area allocationinformation, wherein the predetermined area is formed in a temporarydisc defect structure (TDDS) of a temporary defect management area(TDMA), and the area allocation information recorded in the temporarydisc defect structure (TDDS) is recorded in a defect management area(DMA), and the section allocated to the data area for disc defectmanagement includes a spare area, a temporary disc defect structure(TDDS) area, a temporary defect list (TDFL) area, or the temporarydefect management area (TDMA).
 24. A method of reproducing data from awrite once disc, comprising: accessing a predetermined area of the discto read area allocation information that indicates whether at least onesection of a data area is allocated for disc defect management; andobtaining the area allocation information, wherein the predeterminedarea is formed in a temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) of atemporary defect management area (TDMA), and the area allocationinformation recorded in the temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) isrecorded in a defect management area (DMA), and the disc furthercomprises a first temporary defect management area (TDMA) formed in thelead-in zone and a second TDMA formed in the data area, the areaallocation information indicates allocation of the second TDMA to thedata area, and the predetermined area in which the area allocationinformation is recorded is one of the first and second TDMAs.
 25. Awrite once disc comprising at least one recording layer, the at leastone layer comprising: a data area comprising a user data area in which auser data is recorded; and a lead-in area comprising a first temporarydisc management area and a defect management area, wherein the firsttemporary disc management area comprises a first temporary disc defectstructure including a first information which indicates to a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus whether at least one section of the dataarea is allocated for defect management and a second information whichspecifies to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus a size of a secondtemporary disc management area allocated in the data area, and a copy ofthe first information of the first temporary disc defect structure isrecorded in the defect management area of the lead-in area, and is usedby the recording and/or reproducing apparatus to manage the user data inthe data area.
 26. The disc of claim 25, wherein the first informationcomprises size information specifying a size of the at least one sectionallocated in the data area.
 27. The disc of claim 25, wherein the atleast one section allocated to the data area for defect managementcomprises a spare area.
 28. The disc of claim 27, wherein the firstinformation comprises size information specifying a size of the at leastone section allocated in the data area.